To think there's something not quite right with my baby

HV, GP and DH all make me feel like I'm an over worrying hypochondriac mother

My LO has been very very fussy right from the very start, very alert and a little bit colicky (but definitely not colic). Now she is 13 weeks and has the following:

- episodes of screaming in pain for up to two hours, and won't settle unless I give her calpol. This occurs in the morning too. But it's all very unpredictable - excessive (sometimes up to 50) hiccups at least twice a day- refuses feeding (even if feed time) when in the state of crying- tends to only feed when either asleep or very sleepy- naps are so short, sometimes just 10-20 min, and a very very sensitive sleeper (I have to keep the house phone off and literally tiptoe around her)- has had a sniffly nose, watery eyes almost constantly - coughing during feeds or after- and just generally not very happy, though does have some very happy smiley moments too

I'm a first time mum, so please tell me, is this all completely normal? HV told me earlier on in the week to stop looking for what may be wrong but just accept I am very unlucky to have this type of a baby.

Sorry cut off before finishing. Some health professionals are not well educated about it. We had weeks of misery til a new Hv mentioned it to us and its now under control with no symptoms but we had to battle to get to the right consultant. Good luck.

You are describing my dd when she was little, almost exactly. I had hv's etc telling me it was "normal". She had "silent reflux", which is basically acid reflux. (The silent bit means they are not sick with it - so it's often not diagnosed, or else described as "normal" colic) Symptoms include hiccups, coughing, refusing feeds (because they learn feeding is associated with pain), short naps (as the reflux pain wakes them).

My doctor diagnosed reflux when my dd was about 3 months. (By which time I was a complete wreck - I had loads of people by that point telling me it was normal/ leave her to cry.... as well as lots saying it didn't seem right. I was getting virtually no sleep.

She had infant gaviscon (needs to be prescribed). You can add to a bottle if bottle fed, or feed with a syringe after a breastfeed. The first night she had it, she slept for FIVE HOURS!!!!!!! Unheard of - by that stage she was sleeping in less than hour chunks at night, and about 30 mins max during the day! She also needed ranitidine in the end - you have to work hard to get the dosage right of all the reflux meds. She was never a great sleeper to be honest. She's 7 now though, and no problems.

I would go back to your doctor armed with some info about silent reflux and ask to try infant gaviscon.

I have 4 Dc's and this all sounds fairly common for a baby of this age. Some babies are easier than others but lots go through a stage like this and it really does pass.

Have you tried much for colic and reflux problems? There are some really good products available and some great tips online to help you through this stage. It can be relentless though. I do feel for you but you are really not alone. Have some and go easy on yourself.

DD was exactly the same. It was silent reflux. Until we got the meds sorted, the paediatrician said we could have 2 full nights of Calpol - correct dose given every 4 hours for 12 hours. This did enable us to get some sleep.

You need to video an episode on your phone and show it to the GP. It may take perseverance though. I saw 6 different GPs in 8 days in order to get a paediatric referral.

Hang in there. Reflux is hell for everyone. Get the meds sorted. Try Gaviscon (it won't work) for a week, go back and ask for Ranitidine (it may work but bear in mind there are 3 dosing levels), then you can discuss omperazole.